Crimes against women and girls have increased by nearly a quarter across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight when comparing 2020 to 2021, according to recent analysis by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary.
These offences – which include rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, domestic violence, stalking, and harassment amongst others – have accounted for more than a quarter (27%) of all crime committed in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during 2021.
The analysis also found that overall, approximately 10% of offences against women and girls are deemed to be violent in nature.
As a result – in conjunction with City University London and a host of other UK forces – Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched a Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey for rape and other sexual offences.
The short, anonymous, online questionnaire will seek to gauge the person’s experience and satisfaction of their interaction with the police and lead to recommendations to the Constabulary, and the Home Office, in addressing how to improve police engagement with victims of sexual violence.
As part of the survey – which will last approximately 6 months – it will see victims who have (or have had previous) experience in reporting a rape or other sexual assault to the police be invited to participate in a Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey.
The Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey can be accessed via the City University London’s dedicated webpage – http://www.tinyurl.com/1experiencesurvey.
Detective Superintendent Ellie Hurd, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary lead for rape and serious sexual offences, said:
“Rape is one of the most complex and challenging crimes we deal with within the criminal justice system.
“It is one of our top priorities as a force and we work incredibly closely with partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Treetops Sexual Assault Referral Centre, victim support and victim advocacy services in order to provide the best possible service to victims of rape and serious sexual offenses.
“Our officers and staff are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for victims, but we recognise improvements are needed when it comes to measuring victim satisfaction; alongside making strides in improving how engagement with victims of rape and other sexual offences is handled.”
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said:
“Understanding victim’s journeys from that first call for help, and every step in the criminal justice system that follows, is absolutely paramount for police to bring about long lasting change to how they manage rape and sexual assault investigations.
“As Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, I am really pleased my force is leading the way as one of the first forces in the country to actively seek out victim’s voices and ask for independent scrutiny to improve their service.”
To find out more information about Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Victim Survivors Police Experience Survey, or how to get involved, visit http://www.tinyurl.com/1experiencesurvey.
I would suggest that the investigations and research also focus down on the increase in such vile crimes since the huge increase of newcomers to the UK to see if there is any connection or all purely coincidental.
Many women I have spoken to say that areas of high density enrichment make going out to clubs and pubs an unpleasant experience now due to constant harassment and pressure and to the point of being followed home.
Clearly such pestering from these types is common when we go abroad, but to have to endure such in our own country is unacceptable.
Whilst some will accept no, others don’t and now colour and race is not ‘reported’ when crime is committed then we have a skewed vision of our own males becoming more predatory
What a breath of fresh air your comments so often are iv, (not sure about the gabbion cages)
Many know what you say is true, but so many, especially those in positions of authority where pensions, promotions and even keeping their job, have to be considered before honest free speech, can never say such anymore.
Thank you for addressing that much needed balance.
Certainly you were right IV, as we see with the thankfully rare coloured group assaulting three young girls in Newport and even breaking ones wrist.
These cretins need to be kept off the Island and the UK if we want crime to reduce.
Such a pity that the local lads never protected the girls themselves and followed these vile beings and battered them senseless and launched them in the Medina.
So many of these horrible newcomers pester and intimidate girls and do so in groups. Local lads show your metal and sort it NOW.
Yeah, and when was you last pestered by one of those types? My guessing is never.
Most women who are abused are abused by their own blokes. That’s a fact.
IF you had bothered to read instead of falling over yourself to get you P.C comment in, you would have realised I said many women and girls I know have said such. I never hinted such had happened to me, yet mainly imo, because I have lived mostly in areas well away from such.
Obviously ‘most women are abused by their own partners’ no one is questioning that.
For it is like saying ‘most women have verbal exchanges with their partners’ rather than strangers.
What as you know I am saying is with such violent crime on the increase I feel that the fact that such is occurring more now, is imo perhaps linked to the huge recent increase in outsiders filling our country now. Yes it could be coincidence. Hence it need investigating
Just what we need. Another survey. Here’s a novel idea. How about just getting out and talking to the victims of these crimes instead? In person. Isn’t that a better way of engaging with people?